Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-09

ATTACKED BIZ MALAYs.
4 THRILLING REMINIsCENCE OF THE
CHINA TRADE.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. :,

arms of the rOWerS. They were soon
seen to separate into two groups, one OF
which was directed towards the bow of
the Forward, and the other towards the
stern. 1t was evident that they had
planned to divide our small force by at
lacking Us at two different points, and
once gaining the deck they would be able
to overpower the crew by their greater
numbers; that plan we must at all haz
ards prevent aud our only hope was in be-
ing able, al the first fire, to infiict such in
iury upon the boats as to check their pro-
gress and prevent them from reaching the
ship. Whether the success of the Malays
in capturing the barque had made them
over confident or that they hoped to lntim
idate us by the noise of firearms and so
reach our deck without opposition, am
unable to determine, but at this moment
at distance of one hundred yards, when
further delay on our part in attempting
10 check their progress seemed fatal to
our success. scattering fire with muskets
and small swivels was commenced, but
with such inaccurate aim that the greater
part OF the balls either fell short into the
water or whistled harmlessly overhead.
A few only struck the ships side, here and
there a rope cut in twain, or hole in one
of the sails showed the track of the bul.
lets. and one ball passing through the
rail, wounded one of the crew, but its
force was spent and the wound was not
serious This discharge of firearms was
followed bv the yells OF tie pirates as
they prepared to board the Forward.
Orr time FOR action had arrived. run
out the guns! Aim at the nearest proas!'
a ta.,a IL and
the report of the two nine Founders rang
out over the water
AS the smoke of the discharge drifted
slowly away before the wind the results
OF our fire we're plainly seen. The lead
ing proas of each group had been struck
by the contents of the guns. The broken
sweeps trailing alongside, the wounded
| men struggling in the water, and their
screams, not now of defiance. but of pain,
indicated the accuracy of the aim.
The remaining proas were checked in
| their advance as the Malays saw the fate
of their companions. Had they dashed
| forward and reached the ship our fate
| would have been sealed but, hesitating
| for moment whether to advance or re-
treat, they remained exposed to another
| fire from the ship. The fire from musketS
and pistols was then directed upon them,
and the nine-pounders. being quickly re-
loaded with grape, were again directed
| upon the groups of proas and their living
freight. The Malays did not wait for
another discharge, but turned the bows of
| 1 eir boat in the direct IN of the islands.
and with sails and oars increased their
distance from the Forward as fast as their
disabled condition would permit, leaving
three of their number in sinking state
and many of their occupants killed and
wounded.
No words of mine can describe our
feelings upon seeing the retreat of the
Malays. They can better be imagined
than described. Cheers upon cheers were
| gwen by the crew, and their pent-ups feel
ings now gave vent in a hundred differen,
ways.
Mrs. Seabreeze had remained on deck
during all the scenes that have described
although entreated by her husband to &C
to the cabin as place of greater safety
and it was she who first saw signs of life
on board the barque. Our attention ha.
been so fully occupied during the proceed
ing half hour that but little notice haC
been taken of that vessel but now an ex
clamation from Mrs. Seabreeze caused
all eyes to turn in that direction.
Look" she exclaimed, "some one il
waving handkerchief on board tn,
barque."
Thank God! our work has not been il
vain"
Yes; the form of a woman standing a
the stern OF the barque was in full view
and the flag which until then had been tc
us only signal of distress, was being
lowered and hoisted as sign of welcome
Our labor was but half accomplished
Whatever aid was to be given to the
barque in extricating her from her peril
Gus position must be given at once, as &
delay of few hours might bring larger
force OF Malays upon US. The course Of
the Forward was accordingly changed
toward the shoal and having an
preached as near as was thought safe
the ship was anchored and &
boat lowered. in which Captain Sea
breeze, six of the crew and myself prepar
ed to visit the barque. 1t required but &
few moments to reach her and mount tt
her deck. where a scene met our eyes
which pray may never again be forced
to look upon. 1t indicated the desperate
| uaHu-tc- uuhd that Hdu tdhCu pidCt
between the crew and the Malavs before
the latter had succeeded in gaining pos
session, and several of the dead on bott
sides were lying on the deck where they
had fallen. The matches had been remov
ed and some of the cargo taken out, bu
the pirates seemed to have made little
progress in their work of plumber at the
time they were surprised by our appear
ance. A woman whose face indicated the
suffering from terror and anxiety through
which she had passed was the sole living
occupant of the deck. We eagerly inquir
ed if any others of the crew were alive
and in reply she led the way to the cabir
and pointed to where her husband (tht
captain) and three OF the crew were lying
seriously wounded and weak from loss O.
blood.
In a few words they told US the story o
the disaster. The barque was the Con
naught of London. Two nights before
she had been drlfted upon the shoal by
the current, and all efforts to get into
deeper water had been unsuccessful. Or
the following morning they had been sur
rounded by proas filed with Malays and
the officers and crew had been unable t.
prevent them from coming on board. The
latter seeing their defenceless condition
had suddenly attacked them, and after {
short struggle had killed all on board ex
cept those who had taken refuge in the